I served in the very same Germany Hamburg mission as Roger Terry 33 years later, and this mission memoir was a walk down memory Strasse.
Book review: “Bruder” by Roger Terry
Book review: “Legacies of Jesus” by Lowell Bennion
"Ye have omitted the weightier matters of the law." In less than 70 pages, Bennion beautifully highlights Christ's divine mission and his commandment to love God and neighbor.
Book review: “The Unknown Testament” by Lowell Bennion
What I would give to have a Sunday School lesson taught by Lowell Bennion. Bennion refers to the OT as "the least known and least understood of the standard works of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints", and this is his attempt to help address that. My favorite part: the prophets' insistence on justice for the marginalized: "relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow."
Book review: Abraham Heschel’s “The Sabbath”
Lewis and Chesterton were both authors that helped me realize that my own religious tradition doesn't have a monopoly on truth. Abraham Heschel (and Rabbi Jonathan Sacks) has helped me expand that sphere a little further into the Jewish tradition as well (if you have any recommendations from other faith traditions, please let me know).... Continue Reading →
Book review: “The Viper on the Hearth” by Terryl Givens
My proposed alternate titles: When Mormons Got Their Horns What Religion Are You So I Can Hate On You Correctly Before Fake News: The Penny Press and Portrayals of Mormonism
Book review: “The Talmage Story” by John R. Talmage
Which LDS apostle Saved the University of Utah from going under. Blinded his kid brother with a rake Pulled out his microscope every. single. FHE. Had kids who referred to his as "the Inquisitor" when they brought dates over. A: James E. Talmage
Book review: “The Mormon Jesus” by John G. Turner
The Mormon Jesus by John Turner, answering all the questions you've been dying to ask like, was Jesus a polygamist? or did Jesus have abs?
“I see you”: Of witnessing and healing
On Papa Ostler's "Listen Learn Love" podcast, Julie Lee expresses this idea of "I See You", of witnessing and being present in another person's pain, and it really touched me. I tried to put together a few words in response.
With gentleness and meekness: Sustaining and defending
God doesn't ask us to be heresy hunters. We need to be willing to mourn with those that mourn, even as others criticize what we consider to be holy. And loving people will always be more important than making sure everyone is aware of your orthodoxy.
